Mitsubishi Sells Proton Shares

Sale of 7.93% Stake Is Part
Of Bid to End Investment
In Malaysian Auto Maker

By

Leslie Lopez Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Updated March 9, 2004 2:33 a.m. ET

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Mitsubishi Corp. of Japan has begun divesting itself of its shareholding in Malaysian listed car maker Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. as part of a plan to end its 20-year investment in Proton.

The Japanese conglomerate sold 43.5 million Proton shares, or 7.93% of the Malaysian company's equity, held by associate Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Tokyo-based company said Tuesday. It said it made a profit of...